Inaugural Cohort of NIGMS MOSAIC Scholars Announced

Announcement Date:
1/28/2021
Contact:

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) has announced its initial awards to scholars as part of the Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) K99/R00 program.

MOSAIC facilitates the transition of promising postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds into independent faculty careers at research-intensive institutions. The program provides scholars with up to 5 years of mentored career development and research support. Additionally, each scholar becomes part of a cohort-based career development program to expand their professional networks and gain additional skills and mentoring through programs administered by MOSAIC UE5 awardees: the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the American Society for Cell Biology, and the Association of American Medical Colleges.

As with all NIGMS K99/R00 awardees, MOSAIC scholars proposed rigorous research and career development activities—and their mentors provided tailored career development plans—as part of their applications. In addition, these early career scientists demonstrated compelling commitments and contributions to enhancing diversity, as well as substantive plans to continue these activities as part of their independent research careers. The scholars are:


Jenna R. Christensen Headshot  

Jenna R. Christensen, Ph.D.

Project Title: Evolution of Cargo Transport
Institution: The University of California, San Diego
Grant ID: K99GM140269
MOSAIC Scientific Society: ASCB


John R. Jimah Headshot  

John R. Jimah, Ph.D.

Project Title: Structural Basis of Dynamin-Mediated Membrane Fission, Actin Bundling and Interaction with Binding Partners
Institution: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Grant ID: K99GM140220
MOSAIC Scientific Society: ASBMB


Elias Picazo Headshot  

Elias Picazo, Ph.D.

Project Title: Strategic Molecular Activations for the Selective Synthesis of 2-Deoxy-Beta-Glycosides, and for the Synthesis of Novel Donor-Acceptor Stenhouse Adducts
Institution: Harvard University
Grant ID: K99GM140070
MOSAIC Scientific Society: ASBMB


Yadira M. Soto-Feliciano Headshot  

Yadira M. Soto-Feliciano, Ph.D.

Project Title: Understanding Mechanisms of Transcriptional Regulation by Chromatin Adaptor Proteins
Institution: Rockefeller University
Grant ID: K99GM140265
MOSAIC Scientific Society: ASCB


Elizabeth V. Wasmuth Headshot  

Elizabeth V. Wasmuth, Ph.D.

Project Title: Biochemical, Structural and Molecular Dissection of Androgen Receptor Transcriptional Activity
Institution: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Grant ID: K99GM140264
MOSAIC Scientific Society: ASBMB


Velencia J. Witherspoon Headshot  

Velencia J. Witherspoon, Ph.D.

Project Title: Quantitative Characterization of the Extracellular Matrix Components of Connective Tissue: Fingerprinting Macromolecular Components through Low-Field Magnetic Resonance
Institution: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Grant ID: K99GM140338
MOSAIC Scientific Society: ASBMB


Yvon L. Woappi Headshot  

Yvon L. Woappi, Ph.D.

Project Title: Delineating Epigenetic Coordination of Regenerative Cell Plasticity
Institution: Brigham and Women's Hospital
Grant ID: K99GM123456
MOSAIC Scientific Society: ASCB


To view the full list of inaugural scholars, including those funded by other NIH institutes/centers, see the MOSAIC Scholars webpage. For additional details about the program and the upcoming February 12 application deadline for K99/R00 scholars, see the MOSAIC webpage.